Grisham, Charles Z.

Charles Z. Grisham, a hard rock lead and zinc miner, was maimed and made blind for life this morning in an accident in the Golden Rod Mine No. 4, which is located southwest of Picher Oklahoma. One leg has been amputated and it may be necessary to remove the other as a result of the explosion which happened at nine o'clock. Grisham was performing his regular work in the mine and in drilling into a boulder an unexploded charge was struck. A deafening explosion followed and when the smoke had cleared away and it was possible to reach the unfortunate man through the debris he was found to be in a terribly mangled condition.

A number of other miners, including a brother, T. C. Grisham, was working in the mine at the same time but none were injured. The victim was rushed to the Picher hospital at Picher, by the Todd ambulance of Picher. Here his left leg was amputated and the other was found to be in such a condition that it might be necessary to remove it also. His right eye was torn from the socket and the left one will in all probability be sightless forever.

Grisham is 36 years of age and has a wife and two daughters, Leona Grisham, 14, and Vergie Grisham, 6, living in Carterville, Missouri. It is not known how the unexploded charge happened to be left in the boulder.

A suit asking $20,000 damages was filed in district court Tuesday by attorneys for Rena Grisham against the Golden Rod Mining and Smelting Company. The petition cites the fact that the plaintiff has two children as one reason why she has taken court action following the death of her husband in one of the mines of the Golden Rod Company. The petition alleges that Grisham was working in the drift of a hard rock lead and zinc mine and that he drilled into a hole containing unexploded powder. It is alleged that Grisham suffered injuries which later resulted in his death.

Picher Oklahoma, Apr 29.--Charles Z. Grisham, who was horribly mangled in an accident at Golden Rod Mine No. 4 Wednesday, died at the Picher hospital at Picher at six o'clock yesterday evening. One leg had been amputated, the removal of the other would have been necessary had he lived, and the sight of both eyes had been destroyed by an explosion which followed his drilling into an unexploded charge in a boulder. Funeral services which have not been definitely completed will be held Sunday with interment at Cardin Oklahoma, where his wife and two daughters live. He is also survived by his mother, Mrs. Cynthia Watson, and a brother, Ernest Grisham. Note: The article states that Grisham was buried at Cardin, but he is buried at the G.A.R. cemetery at Miami. Note: Burial date Apr 28, 1921, even tho the paper indicates the burial will take place on May 1, 1921. (G.A.R. Cemetery Records-Miami Oklahoma)